Woman runner attacked at Carkeek Park

A woman running in Carkeek Park was assaulted Monday morning, and Seattle police are searching for her attacker.

The woman was running just before 8:30 a.m. and passed a man sitting on a bench. About 15 minutes later, she passed him again running the opposite way.

“The suspect then attacked the victim from behind, putting her in a neck hold,” Detective Jeff Kappel said in statement. “A serious struggle ensued. The victim was able to fight the suspect off, however, she did sustain abrasions to the right side of her neck, a scratch under her chin, and scrapes on her lower legs.”

Police are looking for a Native American man in his 20s, about 5-foot-8 and roughly 250 pounds with long black hair that goes down his back. Kappel said he was last seen wearing a brown long-sleeve shirt with a black short-sleeve shirt over it, dark pants, and carrying a lime green water bottle.

Police are asking anyone with information to call 911, even with anonymous tips.

Carkeek Park, at 950 NW Carkeek Park Road in North Seattle, is a 220 acre property owned by the City of Seattle that formally opened Aug. 24, 1929. The park is popular with runners, and also has two shelters and a 100-person picnic area.